The SPOTTED EAGLE (_Aquila nævia_) is met with in great numbers in
Germany, Russia, and some of the southern parts of our continent; it also
inhabits Asia, and during the winter is frequently seen in North Africa.
This species is not more than from twenty-five to twenty-seven inches in
length, and from five feet four inches to five feet eight inches broad;
the wing measures from eighteen to nineteen inches and three-quarters,
and the tail from nine and a half to ten inches. In the adult the plumage
is of a uniform brown, darkest and most glossy upon the back; the back
of the head is yellowish red or pale fawn colour; the centre quills are
distinctly striped, the upper and lower wing-covers bordered with a
light shade; the tail-feathers are numerously striped and mottled, or are
of a uniform colour, with a light tip; the upper tail-covers are brownish
yellow. In the young birds the plumage is variegated, the feathers being
for the most part brown, and spotted with light yellow on both sides of
the shaft and at the tip; in some instances the wings of the young have a
beautiful border; the hose and lower wing-covers are a mixture of brown
and dirty white.
The Spotted Eagle and its congeners for the most part frequent marshy
or boggy country, and are found in large numbers in woodland districts.
Each pair seems to live within a certain limited space, in the centre
of which the eyrie is built; and so attached are they to the spot they
have selected for a home, that it is almost impossible to drive them to
other quarters; even should the eggs or young be destroyed, the parents
will not quit the eyrie, or only leave it to erect another a few yards
from the old nest. In the northern parts of Europe the Spotted Eagle
is met with during the summer, appearing early in March, and leaving
about October, some few remain throughout the winter. In fierceness and
daring this species is far inferior to any other member of the group
to which it belongs; its manners are gentle and its disposition timid,
as may at once be seen by the expression of its eye. When perched, its
appearance is extremely ignoble; but when on the wing it exhibits some
of the dignity characteristic of its race, and often passes whole hours
in performing beautiful gyrations through the air. This Eagle destroys
small birds, mice, and frogs in great numbers; it perches like a Buzzard
upon a tree, stone, or post, and from thence peers around in the hope
of descrying a victim; should its observations prove successful, it at
once rapidly descends to seize its prey, which is sometimes pursued
with a kind of hopping gait; it also devours carrion with the avidity
of a vulture. The voice of this species is very loud and resonant, and
when the bird is pleased its sound is not disagreeable. Birch-trees are
usually preferred for building purposes, and where these are not to be
found, fir or pine trees are selected; the eyrie, which is small and very
carelessly constructed, is flat, and ornamented with green branches. The
egg--for there is usually but one--is either oval or round; the shell is
white, with pale blueish grey, reddish brown, or yellow spots, more or
less distinctly laid on; some are prettily adorned with a wreath of spots
round the centre. The female sits for three weeks, and, should she be
driven from her charge, perches upon the nearest tree and utters pitiful
cries; the young are tended by both parents, and fed principally upon
small reptiles; if taken from the nest they are easily tamed.
* * * * *
The DWARF EAGLES (_Hieraëtos_) are the smallest members of this family,
and have received the name they bear on account of the shortness of
their legs; the two species we are about to describe closely resemble
each other, and are about one foot and a half long, and three feet seven
inches broad; the wing measures thirteen inches and three-quarters and
the tail seven inches and a quarter. The female is one inch and a half
longer and about three inches broader than her mate.